..........and other Mysteries

We Believe.....

We believe that the Scriptures, as collected in the Bible are the inspired Logos of God, "All scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction and edification", containing the broad strokes of the whole plan of God.

We believe that the Holy Spirit teaches the revelation of God through the Scriptures, "Comparing spiritual words with spiritual thoughts"(1 Corinthians chapter two) in order to open up "mysteries hidden from the foundation of the world". Mysteries hidden from the wise and revealed unto babes, meaning those who can admit they don't know everything and are excited to find more truth. The Logos is complete, but it is not completely understood.

We believe that faith in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the key that opens the door to all of God's plan for mankind and the universe from the beginning and unto the conclusion of the ages and into eternity.

We believe that God judges men according to the secrets of their hearts, their conscience either accusing them or accusing them on the Day and that no man may judge another regarding eternal destiny.(Romans chapters one and two; Matthew 7:21;22;)

We believe that the ages are expressions of a wisdom "hidden from the foundation of the world" and still "seen through a glass darkly". We have not been given all the details but the scriptures clearly state that there will be a "summing up of all things in Christ"(Ephesians 1:9-10), a "period of the restitution of all things" that will occur after the second coming (Acts 3:19 ); and a reconciliation of all things to the Father(Col 1:16-21) wherein "God will become all in all"(1 Cor 15:23-28; Romans 11:32-36). This is His plan, according to His "kind intention"(eudokia), who works "all things according to the counsel of His will". It is the "mystery of the gospel(euaggelion-kind proclamation, good news)", and a plan foreordained before the foundation of the world to our glory, who believe now and will participate in the period of the restoration of all things in the ages to come.(Ephesians 1:9-10; Eph.2:8; Eph 4; Romans 8; Acts 3)

We believe the Word of God discerns the works of men and that speaking the truth in love we may reprove the works of darkness and encourage all to walk in the light and to good deeds.

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is sufficient for the reconciliation of all things in heaven and on earth, and that this is good news and the plan of God through the ages. It is the "good news" of "an administration suitable to the fulness of times, the gathering together into one(apokastasis) of all things in Christ".(Ephesian 1:9-11; Colossians 1:16-2; Romans 11:32-36; Revelation 5:13)

We believe in the judgment of God, the punishment of the wicked and the testing of the righteous as manifestations of the fire of God, consuming every adversary until every enemy has become a footstool for Christ's feet, until every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father(Romans chapter 10, Ephesians 2:8; Phillipians 2:10; 1 Cor chapter 15:28; Rev 5:13), for "from Him and through Him and to Him are all things".

We believe that at the end of the aions/ages/times "all things" meaning every being ever created will have bowed the knee to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and His reign of sacrificial love(No greater love has a man than this.....) and God will be "all in all"; pas en pas(Grk); everything in everyone(Romans11:32-36; Ephesians 1:9-11; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 8:17-30; 1Corinthians 15:23-28)

We believe that a repentant heart and faith in Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for salvation, without the addition of the doctrines of men, including ours, and that "God knows those who are His"- seeing through to the secret motivations and attitudes of our hearts. We also believe that when evry knee has bowed and every tongue has confessed every soul will have repented from the heart and believed in the love of God and the Lordship of Jesus.

We believe that salvation is a progressive experience of revelation and transformation where the babe becomes a child and then grows into the mature image of the Son of God, an image of love(Ephesians 4:10-16; Romans 8:28-30). Because 'Mercy triumphs over judgment", we believe the punishments of God are corrective, measured in degree to the offenses of the transgressor and that after every adversary has been made subject to Jesus Christ, He(Jesus) will return all things to the Father and God will be all in all(1Cor. 15 23-28), as was His plan from the beginning (Romans 8:17-30).

For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Rom 11:32-36)

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. (Rom 16:25-27)

"But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.(Act 3:18-22)